Cooktop appliance with hermetically sealed temperature sensor

ABSTRACT

A cooktop appliance includes a top panel with a gas burner disposed on the top panel. The cooktop appliance also includes a grate with a plurality of fingers. The grate is removably positioned above the gas burner. The plurality of fingers includes a sensor finger. The cooktop appliance also includes a hermetically sealed temperature sensor mounted to the sensor finger of the plurality of fingers of the grate. The hermetically sealed temperature sensor includes a base, a sheath extending from the base to a rounded tip, and a contact pad in the base.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to cooktop appliances withone or more gas burners, and in particular to such cooktop applianceswith one or more temperature sensors therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gas cooktop appliances generally include a plurality of gas burnersmounted at a top surface of the appliance. Gas burners heat a cookingutensil positioned on a grate over the gas burner primarily viaconvective heating. Thus, measuring cooking utensil temperatures on gascooktop appliances poses challenges because any sensor that contacts thecooking utensil is significantly heated by swirling heated air from thegas burner.

Some gas cooktops include a sensor that passes through the gas burnerand presses against the cooking utensil on the grate. Such sensors havedrawbacks. For example, assembly and cleaning of burner parts is greatlycomplicated due to the construction of the gas burner that includes asensor passing through the gas burner. As another example, openings inthe gas burner and other cooktop components that accommodate the sensorscan undesirably pass spills through the gas burner. Such temperaturesensors also generally include sensitive electronics which may not berobust for a cooking environment, e.g., due to spills or dripping fromthe cooking surface which may contaminate the sensor. Additionally, suchtemperature sensors may not be robust for cleaning, e.g., thetemperature sensor may not be suitable for submersion during washing orwashing in a dishwasher appliance.

Accordingly, a gas cooktop appliance with features for measuring ormonitoring the heating provided would be useful. In particular, a gascooktop appliance with robust, durable features for measuring atemperature of a cooking utensil thereon would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be apparent from the description, or maybe learned through practice of the invention.

In an example embodiment, a cooktop appliance includes a top panel witha gas burner disposed on the top panel. A terminal block is positionedon the top panel adjacent to the burner. The cooktop appliance alsoincludes a grate with a plurality of fingers. The grate is removablypositioned above the gas burner. The plurality of fingers includes asensor finger. The cooktop appliance also includes a hermetically sealedtemperature sensor mounted to the sensor finger of the plurality offingers of the grate. The hermetically sealed temperature sensorincludes a base, a sheath extending from the base to a rounded tip, anda contact pad in the base. The contact pad is configured to contact theterminal block and thereby form an electrical connection with theterminal block.

In another example embodiment, a cooktop appliance includes a top panelwith a gas burner disposed on the top panel. The cooktop appliance alsoincludes a grate with a plurality of fingers. The grate is removablypositioned above the gas burner. The plurality of fingers includes asensor finger. The cooktop appliance also includes a hermetically sealedtemperature sensor mounted to the sensor finger of the plurality offingers of the grate. The hermetically sealed temperature sensorincludes a base, a sheath extending from the base to a rounded tip, anda contact pad in the base.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a cooktop appliance according toone or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a partially exploded view of the example cooktopappliance of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of the example cooktop appliance ofFIG. 1 with the grates removed.

FIG. 4 provides a partially exploded view of the example cooktopappliance of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a top panel with burners and pogopin terminal blocks disposed thereon, such as may be incorporated into acooktop appliance according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 provides an exploded view of a pogo pin terminal block such asmay be incorporated into a cooktop appliance according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 provides a partially sectioned perspective view of an examplegrate having an embedded temperature sensor therein as may beincorporated into a cooktop appliance in one or more example embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 provides a section view of a portion of the example cooktopappliance of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 provides an exploded view of an exemplary grate that may beincorporated into a cooktop appliance such as the cooktop appliance ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 10 provides a partially sectioned exploded view of the grate ofFIG. 9 .

FIG. 11 provides an exploded top perspective view of a temperaturesensor according to one or more example embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 provides an exploded bottom perspective view of the temperaturesensor of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13 provides a partially sectioned perspective view of thetemperature sensor of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 14 provides a bottom perspective view of the temperature sensor ofFIG. 11 in an assembled state.

FIG. 15 provides a section view of a grate and a temperature sensorembedded therein in an unloaded position.

FIG. 16 provides a section view of the grate and temperature sensor ofFIG. 15 in a loaded position.

FIG. 17 provides a section view of the grate and temperature sensor anda load thereon.

FIG. 18 provides an enlarged section view of a portion of a sensorfinger and a temperature sensor embedded therein.

FIG. 19 provides a sectioned perspective view of an example grate havingan embedded temperature sensor therein as may be incorporated into acooktop appliance in one or more additional example embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 20 provides an exploded view of the grate of FIG. 19 .

FIG. 21 provides a partially sectioned top perspective view of the grateof FIG. 19 .

FIG. 22 provides a partially sectioned exploded perspective view of thegrate of FIG. 19 .

FIG. 23 provides a top perspective view of the grate of FIG. 19 .

FIG. 24 provides a bottom view of the grate of FIG. 19 .

FIG. 25 provides a section view of a portion of cooktop appliance withthe exemplary grate of FIG. 19 incorporated therein.

FIG. 26 provides a section view of a grate and a temperature sensorembedded therein in an unloaded position.

FIG. 27 provides a section view of the grate and temperature sensor ofFIG. 26 in a loaded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, terms of approximation, such as “generally,” or “about”include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value.When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms includewithin ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction.For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degreesof vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise.

FIGS. 1 through 5 illustrate an exemplary a cooktop appliance 100according to one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.The example cooktop appliance 100 includes a top panel 102. The cooktopappliance 100 extends in a lateral direction L and a transversedirection T, e.g., perpendicular to a vertical direction V. Each of thevertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T ismutually perpendicular to every other of the vertical direction V, thelateral direction L, and the transverse direction T, such that anorthogonal direction system is formed. More particularly, FIG. 1 depictsthe exemplary cooktop appliance 100 with a frame 200 mounted on thepanel 102 and a pair of grates 400, 402 mounted on the frame 200, whileFIG. 2 depicts the exemplary cooktop appliance 100 with the first grate400 lifted off of the frame 200, and FIG. 3 depicts the panel 102 andframe 200 with both grates 400 and 402 of the pair of grates 400, 402removed. FIG. 4 depicts the exemplary cooktop appliance 100 with theframe 200 lifted off of the panel 102, and FIG. 5 depicts the panel 102with the frame 200 and grates 400, 402 all removed. The panel 102 mayinclude a top surface 104 and a bottom surface 106. By way of example,the panel 102 may be constructed of enameled steel, stainless steel,glass, ceramics, and combinations thereof.

As may be seen, e.g., in FIGS. 1 through 5 , the cooktop appliance 100may include a plurality of burners. For example, the cooktop appliance100 may include a first burner 110 disposed on the top panel 102 and asecond burner 112 spaced apart from the first burner 110 on the toppanel 102. For example, as illustrated, the first burner 110 and thesecond burner 112 may be aligned along the transverse direction T andspaced apart along the lateral direction L. In additional embodiments,the cooktop appliance 100 may include any suitable number andarrangement of burners, including burners of varying sizes and shapes.The panel 102 may also include a recessed portion 108, e.g., whichextends downward along the vertical direction V. The burners, e.g.,first and second burners 110 and 112, may be positioned within therecessed portion 108. The recessed portion 108 may collect spilledmaterial, e.g., foodstuffs, during operation of the cooktop appliance.

The cooktop appliance 100 may also include a user interface panel 132located within convenient reach of a user of the cooktop appliance 100.In various embodiments, the user interface panel 132 may include userinputs 134, such as knobs, buttons, or a touchscreen, etc., which aregenerally understood by those of ordinary skill in the art and aretherefore not shown or described in extensive detail herein for the sakeof brevity and clarity. The user inputs 134 may allow the user toactivate one or more burners and determine an amount of heat provided byeach gas burner. The user interface panel 132 may also be provided withone or more graphical display devices that deliver certain informationto the user, e.g., whether a particular burner is activated and/or theoutput level at which the burner is set.

Operation of the cooktop appliance 100 can be regulated by a controller130 that is operably coupled to (i.e., in operative communication with)the user inputs and/or gas burners. For example, in response to usermanipulation of the user input(s), the controller 130 operates one ormore of the burners 110, 112. By way of example, the controller 130 mayinclude a memory and one or more processing devices such asmicroprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purposemicroprocessors operable to execute programming instructions ormicro-control code associated with operation of appliance 100. Thememory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read onlymemory such as ROM or FLASH. In some embodiments, the processor mayexecute programming instructions stored in non-transitory memory. Forexample, the instructions may include a software package configured tooperate appliance 100 and execute an operation routine such as one ormore methods of operating the cooktop appliance 100. The memory may be aseparate component from the processor or may be included onboard withinthe processor. The controller 130 may be programmed to operate thecooktop appliance 100 by executing instructions stored in memory. Forexample, the instructions may be software or any set of instructionsthat when executed by the processing device, cause the processing deviceto perform operations. Controller 130 may be configured to perform avariety of computer-implemented functions and/or instructions (e.g.performing methods, steps, calculations and the like and storingrelevant data). It should be noted that controllers 130 as disclosedherein are capable of and may be operable to perform any methods andassociated method steps as may be disclosed herein.

The controller 130 may be disposed in a variety of locations throughoutappliance 100. Input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between thecontroller 130 and various operational components of appliance 100, suchas the gas burners 110, 112, inputs, a graphical display, one or moresensors, and/or one or more alarms.

Generally, each gas burner 110, 112 includes a generally circular shapefrom which a flame may be emitted. In additional embodiments, one ormore of the burners may have a different shape, such as oval, oblong,obround, etc., among other possible shapes. As shown, each gas burner110, 112 includes a plurality of fuel ports 114 defined perimetrically,e.g., circumferentially, therearound. Each fuel port 114 is in fluidcommunication with an internal passage of each respective burner 110,112. In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 5 , one or bothof the first burner 110 and the second burner 112 may be a multi-ringburner. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5 , the first burner 110 mayinclude a first plurality of fuel ports 114 defining a first ring of theburner 110 and a second plurality of fuel ports 116 defining a secondring of the burner 110. In such embodiments, a first fuel chamber influid communication with the first plurality of fuel ports 114 may beseparated from a second fuel chamber in fluid communication with thesecond plurality of fuel ports 116 by a wall within the burner 110, andthe burner may be configured to selectively supply fuel to one or bothof the fuel chambers. In some embodiments of a cooktop appliance,multiple burners of differing types may be provided in combination,e.g., one or more single-ring burners as well as one or more multi-ringburners. Moreover, other suitable burner configurations are alsopossible.

The controller 130 may be in operative communication with one or moretemperature sensors. For example, as will be described in more detailbelow, the controller 130 may be selectively in operative communicationwith one or more embedded temperature sensors 450 in one or more grates400, 402 via pogo pin terminal blocks positioned on, e.g., mounted to,the panel 102. In some embodiments, the cooktop appliance 100 maytherefore include a first pogo pin terminal block 150 and a second pogopin terminal block 152.

As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first and second connectors 154 and156 of the first pogo pin terminal block 150 and second pogo pinterminal block 152 may be positioned in a housing 153 mounted on thepanel 102, e.g., where the housing 153 is on and extending from the topsurface 104 of the panel 102, such that the housing 153 elevates therespective connectors 154, 156 of each pogo pin terminal block 150 or152 above the top surface 104 of the panel 102 and away from therecessed portion 108 where spills collect. Also as illustrated in FIG. 6, each pogo pin terminal block 150, 152 may include a connector block158 and a baseplate 160. Only the second pogo pin terminal block 152 isillustrated in FIG. 6 , although it should be understood that the firstand second pogo pin terminal blocks 150 and 152 are substantiallyidentical, e.g., apart from their respective locations.

In some embodiments, the first pogo pin terminal block 150 may bepositioned on the panel 102 adjacent to the first burner 110 and thesecond pogo pin terminal block 152 may be positioned on the panel 102adjacent to the second burner 112. For example, the first pogo pinterminal block 150 may be positioned opposite the second burner 112,e.g., about the first burner 110, along the lateral direction L, and thesecond pogo pin terminal block 152 may be positioned opposite the firstburner 110, e.g., about the second burner 112, along the lateraldirection L. As mentioned above, the first burner 110 and the secondburner 112 may be aligned with each other along the transverse directionT. In such embodiments, the first pogo pin terminal block 150 may bealigned with the first burner 110 along the transverse direction T andthe second pogo pin terminal block 152 may be aligned with the secondburner 112 along the transverse direction T. Thus, in some embodiments,the first burner 110 and the second burner 112 may be aligned with eachother and with the first pogo pin terminal block 150 and the second pogopin terminal block 152 along the transverse direction T.

The first pogo pin terminal block 150 and the second pogo pin terminalblock 152 may each include one or more connectors, such as two springloaded pins or two contact pads, or more than two pins/pads. Forexample, the first pogo pin terminal block 150 may include firstconnectors 154, e.g., two spring-loaded pins 154 in the illustratedexample embodiment, and the second pogo pin terminal block 152 mayinclude second connectors 156, e.g., a second set of two spring-loadedpins 156, where the illustrated spring-loaded pins are an exampleembodiment of first and second connectors 154 and 156 of the first andsecond pogo pin terminal blocks 150 and 152. In some embodiments, thefirst connectors 154 and the second connectors 156 may be positionedabove the first burner 110 and the second burner 112 along the verticaldirection V. In some embodiments, the first connectors 154 and thesecond connectors 156 may be positioned outside of, e.g., above alongthe vertical direction V, the recessed portion 108 of the panel 102.Thus, the connectors 154 and 156 may be protected from spillage, e.g.,by positioning the connectors 154 and 156 above the recessed portion 108of the panel 102 and/or by enclosing the connectors 154 and 156, whereexample embodiments of enclosing the connectors 154 and 156 will bedescribed below.

The cooktop appliance 100 may also include a frame 200 which may bemounted, such as removably mounted, to the top surface 104 of the panel102. The frame 200 may be configured to selectively support two or moregrates 400, 402 (FIGS. 1 and 2 ) over the first burner 110 and thesecond burner 112.

The frame 200 may thusly be positioned above the first burner 110 andthe second burner 112, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Forinstance, in some embodiments, the frame 200 may span the two burners110 and 112, e.g., the frame 200 may consist of a single piece spanningunsupported across the first burner 110 and the second burner 112.

The frame 200 may include a first sleeve 222 which encloses the firstconnectors 154 of the first pogo pin terminal block 150 on four sideswhen the frame 200 is mounted to the top surface 104 of the panel 102and a second sleeve 224 which encloses the second connectors 156 of thesecond pogo pin terminal block 152 on four sides when the frame 200 ismounted to the top surface 104 of the panel 102.

For example, the frame 200 may include or consist of four corners, andmay have a leg extending generally along the vertical direction V ateach corner. The sleeves 222 and 224 of the frame 200 may be positionedbetween the corners, e.g., between the legs. The legs of the frame 200may be positioned on panel 102, e.g., may extend from an outer rail 202of the frame 200 to the top surface 104 of panel 102 when the frame 200is mounted on the panel 102. In some embodiments, the frame 200 mayinclude a first leg 226 and a second 228 leg positioned opposite thefirst leg 226 along the transverse direction T. For example, the firstleg 226 and the second leg 228 may be aligned with the first sleeve 222along the transverse direction T with the first sleeve 222 positionedbetween the first leg 226 and the second leg 228. In some embodiments,the frame 200 may further include a third leg 230 and a fourth leg 232positioned opposite the third leg 230 along the transverse direction T.For example, the third leg 230 and the fourth leg 232 may be alignedwith the second sleeve 224 along the transverse direction T with thesecond sleeve 224 positioned between the third leg 230 and the fourthleg 232.

The first leg 226 and the second leg 228 may be disposed on the frame200 opposite the third leg 230 and fourth leg 232 along the lateraldirection L. In some embodiments, the frame 200 may span unsupportedacross the first burner 110 and the second burner 112, e.g., without anylegs or other portions of the frame 200 resting on the panel 102 betweenthe legs 226, 228, 230, and 232, and/or between the burners 110 and 112,along the lateral direction L. The first burner 110 and the secondburner 112 may be positioned between the first leg 226 and the third leg230 along the lateral direction L when the frame 200 is mounted to thetop surface 104 of the panel 102. For example, the burners 110 and 112may be between the first pair of legs, e.g., the first and second legs226 and 228, and the second pair of legs, e.g., the third and fourthlegs 230 and 232, along the lateral direction L.

As mentioned, the frame 200 may include an outer rail 202. The outerrail 202 of the frame may extend around a perimeter of the frame, suchas completely around the entire perimeter of the frame 200 and maydefine a peripheral support surface 204, e.g., for at least partiallysupporting the grates 400, 402 thereon. For example, the peripheralsupport surface 204 may be configured to selectively support a firstgrate 400 on a first portion, e.g., half, of the peripheral support 204surface and a second grate 402 on a second portion, e.g., a second half,of the peripheral support surface 204 adjacent to the first portion.

In some embodiments, the outer rail 202 of the frame 200 comprises afront portion 206, a left side portion 208, a back portion 210 parallelto the front portion 206, and a right side portion 212 parallel to theleft side portion 208. The front portion 206 and the back portion 210may be spaced apart by the left side portion 208 and the right sideportion 212, e.g., the back portion 210 may be positioned at an oppositeend of each of the left side portion 208 and the right side portion 212from the front portion 206. The left side portion 208 and the right sideportion 212 may each extend perpendicular to the front portion 206 andthe back portion 210. For example, the left side portion 208 may extendfrom a left end 234 of the front portion 206 at a front end 236 of theleft side portion 208 to a back end 238 of the left side portion 209.The back portion 210 may extend from the back end 238 of the left sideportion 208 at a left end 240 of the back portion 210 to a back end 242of the right side portion 212 at a right end 244 of the back portion210. The right side portion 212 may extend from the back end 242 of theright side portion 212 to a front end 246 of the right side portion 212at a right end 248 of the front portion 206.

The frame 200 may also include a crossbar 218 extending through theframe 200 at about the middle of the frame 200. For example, thecrossbar 218 may extend from a midpoint 220 of the front portion 206 toa midpoint 219 of the back portion 210. In some embodiments, theperipheral support surface 204 may be defined along the front portion206, the left side portion 208, the back portion 210, and the right sideportion 212, and the crossbar 218 may define an intermediate supportsurface 221. The intermediate support surface 221 may be configured toselectively support the first grate 400 at a first side of theintermediate support surface 221 and the second grate 402 at a secondside of the intermediate support surface 221.

The frame 200 may be formed of cast metal, such as cast iron or steel,such that the outer rail 202, cross-bar 218, legs 226, 228, 230, and232, and sleeves 222 and 224 are formed from a single, seamless piece ofmetal. Frame 200 may be removable from panel 102, e.g., by liftingupwardly on the frame 200.

Moreover, it is understood that further additional or alternativeembodiments of the frame 200 may be placed over only one burner assemblyor more than two burner assemblies.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , in some embodiments, the cooktop applianceincludes one or more grates, e.g., the frame 200 may be configured toreceive and support a first and second selectively removable grates 400and 402. Each grate 400 and 402 may extend at least partially above acorresponding burner 110, 112 when the grates 400 and 402 are in amounted position on the frame 200 and the frame 200 is mounted on thepanel 102. Generally, each grate 400, 402 is configured for supporting acooking utensil, such as a pot, pan, etc., on top of the grate 400and/or 402 when the grates 400 and 402 are in the mounted position onthe frame 200.

For example, each grate 400 and 402 of the exemplary embodiment includesa plurality of fingers 404, e.g., formed of cast metal, such as castiron. The cooking utensil may be placed on the fingers 404 of one of thegrates 400 and 402 such that the cooking utensil rests on a top surface468 of some or all of the fingers of the plurality of fingers 404. Thefirst grate 400 may include a first outer frame 406 that extends aroundor defines a perimeter of the first grate 400. The second grate 402 mayinclude a second outer frame 408 that extends around or defines aperimeter of the second grate 402. Thus, each outer frame 406, 408 maybe disposed at an outer portion of the respective grate 400 or 402. Thefingers 404 of each grate 400 and 402 may extend from the respectiveouter frame 406 or 408.

When mounted, the grates 400, 402 may selectively rest on the frame 200,such as on the peripheral support surface 204 and the intermediatesupport surface 221 thereof. For example, the first outer frame 406 maybe supported by the left side portion 208, a left half of the frontportion 206, a left half of the back portion 210, and a left side of theintermediate support surface 221. In such embodiments, the second outerframe 408 may be supported by the right side portion 212, a right halfof the front portion 206, a right half of the back portion 210, and aright side of the intermediate support surface 221.

As shown, e.g., in FIG. 2 , the grates 400 and 402 may be selectivelyremovable (e.g., to an unmounted position), such that the grates 400 and402 can be readily lifted from the frame 200.

The plurality of fingers 404 includes a first sensor finger 410 on thefirst grate 400 and a second sensor finger 412 on the second grate 402.Sensor fingers 410 and 412 each support a temperature sensor 450 that isoperable to measure a temperature of a cooking utensil on the respectivegrate 400 or 402. The first sensor finger 410 is illustrated in FIGS. 7through 10 and 15 through 27 , and it should be understood that thesecond sensor finger 412 provides the same or similar, e.g., mirrored,features as those shown and described for first sensor finger 410. Asmay be seen in FIGS. 7 through 10 and 15 through 27 , the first sensorfinger 410 defines a slot 414 at a bottom surface 416 of the sensorfinger 410. The slot 414 is open and faces downward, e.g., along thevertical direction V, such as towards the panel 102 when the grate 400is in the mounted position on the panel 102. Thus, slot 414 is exposedand accessible at the bottom surface 416 of each sensor finger 410, 412.

As best seen in FIGS. 7 through 11 , the sensor finger 410 extendsbetween a first end 418 and a second end 420. In some embodiments,sensor finger 410 may be elongated between the first and second ends418, 420 of sensor finger 410. Second end 420 of sensor finger 410 maybe positioned at the outer frame 406 of the grate 402. Conversely, firstend 418 of sensor finger 410 may be spaced from the outer frame 406, andmay be positioned above the corresponding gas burner 110 or 112 when thegrate 400 or 402 is mounted on the frame 200, e.g., as illustrated inFIGS. 7, 19, and 25 . Slot 414 may also extend between a first end 424and a second end 426. First end 424 of slot 414 may be positioned atfirst end 418 of sensor finger 410, and second end 426 of slot 414 maybe positioned at second end 420 of sensor finger 410. Thus, slot 414 mayextend along the length of sensor finger 410.

Temperature sensor 450 is mounted to sensor finger 410, e.g., at leastpartly within the slot 414 as mentioned above. For example, temperaturesensor 450 may include a temperature probe 454 (see, e.g., FIG. 18 )positioned at first end 418 of sensor finger 410 and/or first end 424 ofslot 414. In particular, the sensor finger 410 may include a first endportion 422 proximate to the first end 418 (and including the first end418), e.g., as indicated in FIGS. 9, 10, and 20 , and the temperaturesensor 450 and/or the temperature probe 454 thereof may be mounted in orat the first end portion 422 of the sensor finger 410. In particular,the temperature sensor 450 may include a rounded tip 419, e.g., the tip419 may be ball-shaped and/or may be a partially spherical tip (e.g.,having the shape of a partial sphere or truncated sphere) of thetemperature sensor 450. The rounded, e.g., partial spherical, tip 419may include a conical or otherwise tapered recess 452 therein, e.g., asindicated in FIG. 18 , and the temperature probe 454 may be mounted inthe tapered recess 452 of the tip 419.

As may be seen, e.g., in FIG. 18 , the temperature probe 454 may becoupled to a wire 470 and the wire 470 may urge the temperature probe454 into the tapered recess 452, whereby the tapered recess 452 mayprovide precise and consistent (repeatable) location of the temperatureprobe 454 at or near a center of the first end portion 422 of the sensorfinger 410 such that the temperature sensor 450, in particular the tip419 and the probe 454 of the temperature sensor 450, may be positionedover gas burner 110 when the grate 400 is mounted on the frame 200. Inparticular, tapered recess 452, and the temperature probe 454 therein,may be directly above, e.g., along the vertical direction V, the burner110, and/or may be positioned concentric with gas burner 110 on sensorfinger 410. The temperature probe 454 may be or include a resistancetemperature detector, a thermocouple, an infrared temperature sensor, abimetallic switch, etc.

In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 450 may further include aheat transfer cap 456. The heat transfer cap 456 may comprise a heatconductive material, such as a metallic material, e.g., a cast aluminumalloy. The heat transfer cap 456 may be in direct contact with the tip419 of the temperature sensor 450. Thus, the heat transfer cap 456 maybe in conductive thermal communication with the tip 419 of thetemperature sensor 450. In some embodiments, the heat transfer cap 456may be in conductive thermal communication with the tip 419 and thetemperature probe 454 therein. For example, the heat transfer cap 456may be in direct contact with the tip 419, which is in turn in directcontact with the temperature probe 454, such that the heat transfer cap456 is in conductive thermal communication with the temperature probe454 via the tip 419.

A base cap or cover 460 may also be mounted to the sensor finger 410within the slot 414 or adjoining the slot 414 at the bottom surface 416of sensor finger 410. Cover 460 may be positioned between thetemperature sensor 450 and gas burner 110, e.g., along the verticaldirection V. Thus, cover 460 may advantageously shield temperaturesensor 450 from direct heating by gas burner 110. For example, cover 460may block direct radiative heat transfer from surfaces at gas burner 110to the temperature sensor 450, and/or cover 460 may shield thetemperature sensor 450 from direct convective heat transfer from gasburner 110.

In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 450 may further include abottom cap 478. The bottom cap 478 may be joined to the heat transfercap 456, such as fastened to the heat transfer cap 456. For example, insome embodiments, the bottom cap 478 may be fastened to the heattransfer cap 456 by deformable rivets, such as deformable rivets formedon the heat transfer cap 456 that are received in mating apertures inthe bottom cap 478. As may be seen, e.g., in FIG. 9 , prior toinstallation, the deformable rivets may be generally cylindrical inshape and may be sized to fit in and through the apertures in the bottomcap 478, such as the rivets in their initial state each having an outerdiameter less than an inner diameter of each corresponding aperture. Asmay be seen, e.g., in FIG. 18 , after installation the rivets may be,e.g., hammered, or otherwise flattened to expand the rivets and therebysecure the bottom cap 478 to the heat transfer cap 456, such asexpanding a lower end of the rivet such that the outer diameter of therivet at the lower end is greater than the diameter of the aperturethrough which the rivet extends, thereby securing the bottom cap 478 andthe heat transfer cap 456 together.

In various embodiments, the tip 419 may be joined to the heat transfercap 456 by a ball-and-socket joint. For example, in embodiments such asthose illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 18 , the tip 419 may be the ball inthe ball-and-socket joint and the socket of the ball-and-socket jointmay be defined in part by the heat transfer cap 456 and in part by thebottom cap 478. In additional embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS.19 through 27 , the socket may be formed by the heat transfer cap 456alone, and the tip 419 may be secured in the socket by a snap ring 490.When the tip 419 is joined to the heat transfer cap 456 by aball-and-socket joint, such connection may permit relative rotation ofthe heat transfer cap 456 and the tip 419. Thus, for example, suchrotation may permit the heat transfer cap 456 to be levelled, such aswhen the heat transfer cap 456 is in contact with a cooking utensil 1000(see, e.g., FIG. 17 ), in order to ensure complete and consistentcontact between the heat transfer cap 456 and the bottom of the cookingutensil 1000, e.g., along and across the contact surface 486 of the heattransfer cap 456.

The partially spherical tip 419 may be coupled to or in operativecommunication with a biasing member or spring 480 (see, e.g., FIG. 9and/or FIG. 22 ) such that the partially spherical tip 419 (and thetemperature probe 454 therein) is urged upwardly. As mentioned, eachfinger of the plurality of fingers 404, including the sensor fingers 410and 412, may include a top surface 468. Thus, the tip 419 may be urgedtowards the top surface 468 of the sensor finger 410, e.g., towards autensil 1000 positioned thereon, by the spring 480. In particular, theheat transfer cap 456 may be urged upward along the vertical directionby the spring 480, e.g., towards a cooking utensil 1000 (FIG. 17 )positioned on the grate 400. In some embodiments, e.g., as illustratedin FIG. 9 , the biasing element may be a coil spring 480. In additionalembodiments, the biasing element may also or instead include one or moreleaf springs 480 on the snap ring 490.

Thus, temperature sensor 450 may be positioned in sensor finger 410 suchthat the temperature sensor 450 is configured to contact a cookingutensil 1000 and/or to be in conductive thermal communication with thecooking utensil 1000 via the heat transfer cap 456, such that thetemperature sensor 450 is operable to measure and/or detect thetemperature of the cooking utensil 1000 on the grate 400 when thecooking utensil 1000 is heated by the corresponding gas burner 110.

The heat transfer cap 456 may advantageously provide an enlarged contactsurface 486 for contacting the underside of a cooking utensil andthereby promoting heat transfer from the cooking utensil 1000 to thetemperature probe 454.

In some embodiments, the heat transfer cap 456 may be spaced apart fromthe grate 400, including the sensor finger 410 thereof, to preventconductive heat transfer between the grate 400 and the sensor 450. Forexample, the heat transfer cap 456, in some embodiments, does not touchthe grate 400. In some embodiments, the heat transfer cap 456 may bespaced apart from the grate 400 continuously around a circumference ofthe heat transfer cap 456, e.g., such that the entire perimeter, e.g.,circumference, of the heat transfer cap 456 is not in contact with thesensor finger 410 (or any other part of the grate 400), as may be seenfor example in FIGS. 15 and 16 .

In some embodiments, the heat transfer cap 456 may define an outerdimension, such as an outer diameter, which is less than a correspondingdimension, e.g., an inner diameter (e.g., FIGS. 15, 16, and 18 ) or anouter diameter (e.g., FIGS. 19, 21-23, 26, and 27), of the sensor finger410. For example, the sensor finger 410 may include an aperture 428 inthe first end portion 422 thereof, and the heat transfer cap 456 maypass upwards along the vertical direction V through the aperture 428. Asanother example, the first end portion 422 of the sensor finger 410 mayhave a circular or cylindrical shape and the outer diameter of the firstend portion 422 of the sensor finger 410 may be greater than thediameter of the heat transfer cap 456, whereby the first end portion 422of the sensor finger 410 may at least partially block heat, e.g., directconvective heat, from the burner 110 from directly impacting the sensor450, e.g., the heat transfer cap 456 thereof. Thus, in some embodiments,the first end portion 422 of the sensor finger 410 may define a firstdiameter (an inner diameter, e.g., of the aperture 428, or an outerdiameter) and the heat transfer cap 456 may define a second diameter(outer diameter) which is less than the first diameter. In particularembodiments where the outer diameter of the heat transfer cap 456 isless than the inner diameter defined by the aperture 428 in the firstend portion 422 of the sensor finger 410, a gap may thereby be definedbetween the heat transfer cap and the end portion 422, such as acircumferential gap extending around the entire perimeter, e.g.,circumference, of the heat transfer cap 456.

In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 25 through 27 , thesensor finger 410 may include a raised shoulder 423. The sensor finger410 may be protected from spills in order to prevent or minimizematerial, e.g., spilled food, from entering into the sensor finger 410and/or the temperature sensor 450 embedded therein by the shoulder 423and the heat transfer cap 456. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 25through 27 , in some embodiments, the heat transfer cap 456 overhangsthe raised shoulder 423. Such overhang may serve to prevent or minimizespilled material reaching the space within the interior of the sensorfinger 410, e.g., the slot 414 wherein the temperature sensor 450 isdisposed.

As may be seen in FIG. 27 in particular, the heat transfer cap 456 mayremain spaced apart from, and thus thermally isolated from, the sensorfinger 410, including the shoulder 423 thereof, even when the heattransfer cap 456 approaches the sensor finger 410 in the loweredposition.

The temperature sensor 450 may also include a tubular sheath 462, andthe tubular sheath 462 may extend between the rounded, e.g., partiallyspherical, tip 419 and a base 464 of the temperature sensor 450. Tubularsheath 462 may be a metal tubular sheath, such as an aluminum, copper,steel, or other suitable tube, such as a ceramic tube. A wire may extendthrough the tubular sheath 462 from the base 464, and the inherentresiliency of the wire may urge the temperature probe into the taperedrecess 452 in the partially spherical tip 419, as described above.

The base 464 may be or include a pogo pin terminal block, e.g., the base464 of the first temperature sensor 450 embedded in the first grate 400may be or provide a third pogo pin terminal block, and the base 464 ofthe second temperature sensor 450 embedded in the second grate 402 maybe or provide a fourth pogo pin terminal block, where the third andfourth pogo pin terminal blocks on the grates 400 and 402 may beconnectable with the first pogo pin terminal block 150 and the secondpogo pin terminal block 152 on the top panel 102. The wire 470 runningthrough the tubular sheath 462 connects the temperature probe 454 withinthe tip 419 with the pogo pin connectors on the base 464 to place theprobe 454 and base 464 in signal communication with each other. Thus,the wire 470 may transmit electrical signals between the temperatureprobe and base 464, such as a pogo pin terminal block and/or pogo pinconnectors of the base 464. The wire 470 within tubular sheath 462 maybe insulated for high temperatures, e.g., may include a woven fiberglassjacket or a woven steel mesh jacket in order to advantageously limitheat transfer, e.g., conductive heat transfer, between the tubularsheath 462 and the wire 470.

The base 464 of the temperature sensor 450 may be positioned at orwithin a socket 430 in the outer frame 406, e.g., adjoining the slot 414at the second end 420 of the slot 414. Thus, the temperature sensor 450,e.g., the tubular sheath 462 thereof, may extend within the slot 414 andacross the entire length of the slot 414 from the base 464 at the secondend 420 of the slot 414 to the partially spherical tip 419 at the firstend 424 of the slot 414, whereby the temperature sensor 450 may beembedded within the grate 400, e.g., within the socket 430 and the slot414 of the sensor finger 410. As mentioned, the base 464 may include apogo pin terminal block having pogo pin connectors, e.g., contact padsor spring-loaded pins. For example, the base 464 may include two contactpads 466 (see, e.g., FIG. 14 ) for connecting with spring-loaded pins154 of the first pogo pin terminal block 150 or the spring-loaded pins156 of the second pogo pin terminal block 152 when the grate 400 ismounted on the frame 200 and the frame 200 is mounted on the panel 102.In alternative example embodiments, the relative position of springloaded pins and contact pads on first and second pogo pin terminalblocks 150, 152 and the base 464 of the temperature sensor 450 may bereversed.

As mentioned above, the cooktop appliance 100 may include a controller130 and the first and second grates 400 and 402 may include first andsecond sensor fingers 410 and 412, respectively, with each having atemperature sensor 450 embedded therein. The temperature sensor(s) 450may be selectively in operative communication with the controller 130,e.g., may be in operative communication with the controller 130 via aconnection between the first and second pogo pin terminal blocks 150 and152 on the panel 102 and respective pogo pin connectors on each of thegrates 400 and 402 when the grates 400 and 402 are mounted on the frame200 while the frame 200 is mounted on the panel 102.

In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 450 may be hermeticallysealed. For example, the sheath 462 may be hermetically welded to thebase 464. Also by way of example, the sheath 462 may be hermeticallywelded to the rounded tip 419. Such hermetic welding may include, e.g.,laser welding. Any suitable welding technique may be used which resultsin a weld seam that is continuous around the interface or joint betweenthe sheath 462 and the base 464 such that the weld seam provides ahermetic seal between the sheath 462 and the base 464. The sheath 462may be hermetically welded to the tip 419 in the same or similar manneras described above with respect to the sheath 462 and the base 464.

In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 450 may also or instead behermetically sealed in that each electrical contact, e.g., each contactpad 466, is hermetically sealed to or with the corresponding base 464,such as with a glass-to-metal seal or a ceramic-to-metal seal. The base464, such as a bottom portion or a bottom plate 455 thereof, may be atleast partially formed of a glass or ceramic material, such as the base464 may include an insert or bushing 457 at the bottom plate 455 of thebase 464 that is formed of a glass or ceramic material. The contact pads466 may be formed of a metal material. Additionally, the base 464 mayinclude one or more metal portions, e.g., a housing 459 and/or thebottom plate 455 of the base 464 may be formed of metal. For example,the bottom plate 455 may be formed entirely of glass or ceramic in someembodiments, or, in other embodiments, the bottom plate 455 may beformed of metal and the glass or ceramic insert 457 may be provided.Thus, in various embodiments, the hermetic seal formed in the base 464may be or include a glass-to-metal seal or a ceramic-to-metal sealbetween the contact pads 466 and the insert 455 or bottom plate 457 ofthe base 464, and between the insert 455 or bottom plate 457 of the base464 and the remainder of the base 464, e.g., the housing 459 of the base464. When the bottom plate 455 and housing 459 are both formed of metal,the bottom plate 455 and housing 459 may be hermetically weldedtogether. Such glass-to-metal seals or ceramic-to-metal seals may beformed by assembling the contact pads 466 within the glass or ceramicpart (e.g., the bottom plate 455 or insert 457) and the glass or ceramicpart within the remainder of the base 464 (e.g., the glass/ceramicbottom plate 455 within the housing 459 or the glass/ceramic insert 457within the bottom plate 455) and fusing the assembled components in afurnace to create a gas-tight sealed base 464. The temperature in thefurnace may be sufficiently high to cause the components to fusetogether and fill in any gaps therebetween, resulting in a hermeticallysealed assembly. The materials selected, e.g., whether the insert 457 orbottom plate 455 is glass or ceramic, may be based on compatibility forforming such seals with the metal material of the contact pads 466,e.g., based on the coefficients of thermal expansion of each material.

In some embodiments, the coefficients of thermal expansion may bematched, such that when the contact pads 466 and the insert or bottomplate are assembled as described above and then heated, the materialsmay be fused together to form a seal therebetween. In other embodiments,the coefficients of thermal expansion may be different, such that whenso assembled and then heated, the metal components, e.g., the contactpads 466, may expand faster than the glass or ceramic parts, causing thecomponents to press together as the assembly is heated, thereby forminga compressive seal between the components.

In some embodiments, the temperature sensor 450 may be rotatably, e.g.,hingedly, mounted to the sensor finger 410. Thus, the temperature sensor450 may be rotatable such that the temperature sensor 450 moves alongthe vertical direction V between an elevated position and a loweredposition. For example, FIGS. 15 and 26 illustrate the temperature sensor450 in an unloaded, elevated position, and FIGS. 16 and 27 illustratethe temperature sensor 450 in a loaded, lowered position. For example,the temperature sensor 450 may be biased towards the elevated positionby one or more biasing elements 480, e.g., a coil spring (FIG. 9 ) orone or more leaf springs (FIG. 22 ), such that the temperature sensor450 is in the elevated position when the temperature sensor 450 isunloaded, e.g., when the cooking utensil 1000 (FIG. 17 ) is not present.When the cooking utensil 1000 is placed on the grate 400, the weight ofthe utensil 1000 and contents thereof overcomes the force of the biasingelement 480 to move the temperature sensor 450 to the lowered position.

As may be seen, e.g., in FIGS. 15, 16, 26, and 27 , the heat transfercap 456 and the tip 419 of the temperature sensor 450 translate togetheralong the vertical direction between the elevated position and thelowered position. The sheath 462 of the temperature sensor 450 may touchan inner, lower surface of the sensor finger 410 in the elevatedposition, whereas the sheath 462 rotates down and away from contact withthe sensor finger 410, e.g., the sheath 462 rotates within the slot 414,when in the loaded, lower position. Thus, the temperature sensor 450,and in particular the sheath 462 thereof, may be separated fromconductive thermal communication with the sensor finger 410 when in use,e.g., when a cooking utensil 1000 is placed on the grate 400 for cookingfood items therein. Accordingly, the temperature sensor 450 may moreaccurately measure temperature of the cooking utensil 1000, e.g., thetemperature sensor 450 is less heated or influenced by the grate 400,including the sensor finger 410 thereof when the temperature sensor 450is spaced apart from the sensor finger 410 in the loaded position.

As may be seen, e.g., in FIGS. 9, 20, and 22 , the temperature sensor450 may include a pair of hinge pins 434, e.g., a first hinge pin 434 ona first side of the base 464 of the temperature sensor 450 and a secondhinge pin 434 on a second side of the base 464 of the temperature sensor450 opposite the first side of the base 464 of the temperature sensor450. The hinge pins 434 may be colinear and may define a hinge axisabout which the temperature sensor 450 rotates. For example, the base464 may be received in the socket 430 within the outer frame 406 of thegrate 400 and each hinge pin 434 may be received within a correspondingrecess 432 adjoining the socket 430. In this way, the temperature sensor450 may be permitted to rotate about the hinge axis defined by thecolinear hinge pines 434, while being restrained from rotation about alongitudinal axis of the temperature sensor 450. The longitudinal axisof the temperature sensor 450 may be, e.g., generally perpendicular tothe hinge axis defined by the colinear hinge pins 434. For example, thelongitudinal axis of the temperature sensor 450 may be defined by amajor (largest and/or longest) dimension of the sheath 462.

The hinge pins 434 may be colinear along a direction that is generallyperpendicular to the vertical direction V, e.g., one of the lateraldirection L and the transverse direction T. For example, in theillustrated embodiments, the hinge axis is generally parallel to thetransverse direction T. Thus, the temperature sensor 450 may be mountedto the sensor finger 410 (and the grate 400 in general) such that thetemperature sensor 450 is rotatable about a first directionperpendicular to the vertical direction V, e.g., the transversedirection T, while being constrained against rotation about a seconddirection perpendicular to the vertical direction V and the firstdirection, such as the lateral direction L.

When the base 464 and the hinge pins 434 are received in the socket 430and the recesses 432 respectively, and the cover 460 is coupled, e.g.,fastened, to the grate 400, the base 464 and the hinge pins are therebyat least partially enclosed within and between the grate 400 and thecover 460, thus mounting and constraining the temperature sensor 450within and to the sensor finger 410 as described above. Thus, thetemperature sensor 450 is supported by the base 464 thereof. Forexample, the sheath 462 and the tip 419 of the temperature sensor 450may be cantilevered from the base 464 of the temperature sensor 450.Thus, the temperature sensor 450 may be supported by the outer frame 406of the grate 400, where the outer frame 406 is spaced apart from theburner 110 and thus the outer frame 406 receives less heat from theburner 110 than does the sensor finger 410, especially the first endportion 422 of the sensor finger 410 in which the probe 454 of thetemperature sensor 450 is located. Thus, the cantilevered arrangement ofthe temperature sensor 450 may promote thermal isolation of thetemperature sensor 450 from the sensor finger 410, e.g., where thetemperature sensor 450 is supported at the base 464 in the outer frame406 of the grate, and the remaining portions of the temperature sensor450, e.g., the sheath 462 and tip 419, are suspended, e.g., cantileveredfrom the base 464, within the slot 414 of the sensor finger 410, suchthat when the sensor finger 410 is heated by the burner 110 such heat isnot conductively transferred to the temperature sensor 450, e.g., at thefirst end portion 422, such as is not directly conductively transferredto the temperature sensor 450 from the sensor finger 410.

The construction of the sensor finger 410 and temperature sensor 450 asdescribed herein provides numerous advantages. For example, temperaturesensor 450 is advantageously positioned proximate a cooking utensil onthe grate 400 yet temperature sensor 450 is also shielded by sensorfinger 410 and cover 460 from direct convective heating from gas burner110. As another example, providing pogo pin terminal blocks, e.g., thebase 464 of the or each temperature sensor 450 having pogo pinconnectors thereon, also allows grates 400 and 402 to be removed fromthe panel 102 without the need to manually disconnect any wiring. Suchpogo pin connections may also accommodate variation in positioning ofgrates 400 and 402 on panel 102 while also maintaining good electricalsignal. Thus, the grates 400 and 402 with the temperature sensors 450therein may be easily removed by a user while the temperature sensor 450remains in each grate 400 and 402. For example, the grates 400 and 402may be removed for cleaning, including washing, such as submerging in asink or in a dishwasher appliance. When the temperature sensor 450 ishermetically sealed, e.g., with hermetic welds and/or glass-to-metalseals as described above, the temperature sensor 450 may thereby bewashed with the grate 400 or 403, including may be submerged and/or runthrough the dishwasher, without exposing the internal electricalcomponents of the temperature sensor 450 to undesirable moisture.Further, as may be seen, e.g., in FIG. 8 , the contact pads 466 may rubor wipe against the pogo pins, e.g., pins 154, as the temperature sensor450 rotates. Such wiping may advantageously clean the contact pads 466,e.g., the contact pads 466 may be formed of a stainless steel materialand a patina or film which may accumulate on the stainless steelmaterial, e.g., as a result of washing in the dishwasher, may thereby bewiped off. Thus, the glass-to-metal seal (or ceramic-to-metal seal) asdescribed above may be accomplished with readily available andinexpensive materials, e.g., stainless steel for the metal, as opposedto more exotic metal materials or the need for metal plating. Theforegoing advantages are described by way of example only and withoutlimitation. Additional advantages of the present disclosure may also beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The cooktop appliance 100 shown in the accompanying figures anddescribed herein illustrates various example embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Thus, although described in the context of cooktop appliance100, the present disclosure may be used in cooktop appliances havingother configurations, e.g., a cooktop appliance with fewer burnerassemblies or additional burner assemblies. Similarly, the presentdisclosure may be used in cooktop appliances that include an oven, i.e.,range appliances. As another example, the present disclosure may be usedwith a cooktop appliance without a separate frame or frames, e.g., wherethe grate(s) may be positioned directly on the top panel, such as grates400 and/or 402 may include vertical portions, such as legs, and may bepositioned directly on panel 102. Additional other and furthervariations in the configuration of the cooktop appliance 100 as will beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art are also contemplatedas being within the scope of the present disclosure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cooktop appliance, comprising: a top panel; agas burner disposed on the top panel; a terminal block positioned on thetop panel adjacent to the burner; a grate with a plurality of fingersremovably positioned above the gas burner, the plurality of fingersincluding a sensor finger; and a hermetically sealed temperature sensormounted to the sensor finger of the plurality of fingers of the grate,the hermetically sealed temperature sensor comprising a base, a sheathextending from the base to a rounded tip, and a contact pad in the base,wherein the contact pad is configured to contact the terminal block andthereby form an electrical connection with the terminal block.
 2. Thecooktop appliance of claim 1, wherein the sheath is hermetically weldedto the base and is hermetically welded to the rounded tip.
 3. Thecooktop appliance of claim 1, wherein the hermetically sealedtemperature sensor comprises a glass-to-metal seal between a metalcontact pad and a glass insert, and a glass-to-metal seal between theglass insert and a metal portion of the base.
 4. The cooktop applianceof claim 1, wherein the hermetically sealed temperature sensor comprisesa ceramic-to-metal seal between a metal contact pad and a ceramicinsert, and a ceramic-to-metal seal between the ceramic insert and ametal portion of the base.
 5. The cooktop appliance of claim 1, whereinthe terminal block comprises a pogo pin terminal block.
 6. The cooktopappliance of claim 1, wherein the rounded tip is a partial sphere. 7.The cooktop appliance of claim 1, further comprising a tapered recess inthe rounded tip and a temperature probe mounted in the tapered recess.8. The cooktop appliance of claim 1, further comprising a thermallyconductive heat transfer cap in contact with the rounded tip of thehermetically sealed temperature sensor.
 9. The cooktop appliance ofclaim 8, further comprising a biasing element configured to bias theheat transfer cap upwards towards an upper surface of the grate.
 10. Acooktop appliance, comprising: a top panel; a gas burner disposed on thetop panel; a grate with a plurality of fingers removably positionedabove the gas burner, the plurality of fingers including a sensorfinger; and a hermetically sealed temperature sensor mounted to thesensor finger of the plurality of fingers of the grate, the hermeticallysealed temperature sensor comprising a base, a sheath extending from thebase to a rounded tip, and a contact pad in the base.
 11. The cooktopappliance of claim 10, wherein the sheath is hermetically welded to thebase and is hermetically welded to the rounded tip.
 12. The cooktopappliance of claim 10, wherein the hermetically sealed temperaturesensor comprises a glass-to-metal seal between a metal electricalcontact of the contact pad and a glass insert, and a glass-to-metal sealbetween the glass insert and a metal portion of the base.
 13. Thecooktop appliance of claim 10, wherein the hermetically sealedtemperature sensor comprises a ceramic-to-metal seal between a metalelectrical contact of the contact pad and a ceramic insert, and aceramic-to-metal seal between the ceramic insert and a metal portion ofthe base.
 14. The cooktop appliance of claim 10, wherein the rounded tipis a partial sphere.
 15. The cooktop appliance of claim 10, furthercomprising a tapered recess in the rounded tip and a temperature probemounted in the tapered recess.
 16. The cooktop appliance of claim 10,further comprising a thermally conductive heat transfer cap in contactwith the rounded tip of the hermetically sealed temperature sensor. 17.The cooktop appliance of claim 16, further comprising a biasing elementconfigured to bias the heat transfer cap upwards towards an uppersurface of the grate.